Arab Music Festival Faces Crisis as Artists Withdraw Over Fees

Egyptian media personality Tamer Amin said the Arab Music Festival is a major institution "bigger than any official or artist" and represents the last stronghold for preserving Arab music, commenting on current crises facing the event. Amin stated on his show "Akher El Nahar" that the 34th edition, scheduled from October 20 to 30, is "in real trouble" due to disputes over artist fees, which led 11 performers including Assi El Hallani, Ali El Haggar, and Rami Sabry to withdraw. He criticized both festival management and artists for escalating tensions publicly on social media instead of resolving issues privately. Amin urged wise crisis management through closed-door dialogue to avoid apparent conflict between the opera house and artists, stressing the controversy does not suit the festival's prestigious reputation and harms Arab and Egyptian music heritage.